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Allegations of Sexual
Abuse in NZ |
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I was pleased to see in The Press
a woman held accountable for making false rape allegations (Feb 2). I commend Judge Couch for
highlighting the seriousness of the issue and the consequences it has for
real victims of rape who not only find it more difficult to be believed, but
to get the justice they deserve. Thankfully, in this case, the man
accused escaped unscathed. Unfortunately, this seldom happens, and men can
sit in the court system for more than two years fighting false rape
allegations that damage their credibility and finances, cause serious
emotional and psychological harm to themselves and their families, and at the
end be spat out without support to get their lives back on track. Women who make false rape
allegations are often protected by defence claims that they are
psychiatrically ill, which in turn create negative attitudes in the
population towards those with psychiatric illnesses who are responsible and
honest citizens. I was pleased to see in the case
published that this was not accepted as an excuse, and I hope that this sends
a clear message to those who make these claims for attention- seeking or
vengeful purposes, and those psychologists, psychiatrists and counsellors who
protect them.
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